During an emergency school situation, it is important that parents are familiar with these terms:

* Internal lockdown: all school interior doors are locked and students are confined to their classrooms. No entry or exit of the school is allowed.

This takes place if there is a threat or possible threat inside the school. During an internal lockdown, the school's main entrance doors will be locked and a sign will be posted on the front door indicating that the school is in an internal lockdown.

If there is no admittance to the building, parents/caregivers will be referred to the VBCPS Emergency Hotline at 263-1000 for information regarding this incident.

* External lockdown: all school exterior doors are locked. This takes place if the threat is outside of the school.

If the situation allows, parents/caregivers could be admitted into the school with proper identification.

If it is deemed safe for parents/caregivers to enter the building, they will need to show a proper form of identification such as a driver's license, military ID, VBCPS school ID or other valid photo identification.

* Shelter-in-place: means selecting small, interior rooms in the school, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there until it is safe to release students.

This is a precaution aimed to keep students safe from hazardous materials that may have been released into the atmosphere. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.)

This procedure is implemented if it is determined that evacuation or dismissal could possibly place students at risk.

Ensuring school safety is everyone's responsibility -staff, students, parents and the entire community. Please report any safety concerns you have to the school principal. Additional school safety information can be found on www.vbschools.com.